For the last two weeks, my students have been having fun learning math in non-textbook ways. One game that we have been using on a daily basis for about five minutes each day is “Finger Math”. It quickly gives students practice adding and subtracting in a fun atmosphere, with manipulative support. This activity is easily differentiated and appropriate for first graders, second graders, third, fourth, and so on!

Directions:

Have two students face each other.

Each student choose a number from 1-10.

When students are ready, they show their number using their fingers.

Have students quickly add all fingers shown from both students and say the answer.

The student with the correct answer wins a point. Have students check by counting all fingers.

Play continues until one student wins. In my class, that’s five points to win.

Variations:

Subtract the student with the least fingers from the student with the most finger.

Play with one hand instead of two hands (meaning 1-5 instead of 1-10) for students who aren’t ready to add the higher numbers. Differentiated instruction.

For more difficult problems, have three or four students play against each other. This is also an excellent scaffold for adding three addends.

After each play, have students write the corresponding number sentence in their math journal.

I am trying out a new second grade reading and writing homework using the Tree Map. My goal is for students to prepare students to be able to dissect a story, looking at the characters, setting, problem and solution. Eventually, I want to transition into using the academic language of “characters, setting, problem and solution” but for now, I’m using scaffolding language. Take a look to see if it’s useful for you.